COMMENT:Hail to the bowl of brown rice topped with grated radish from the garden. Hail to the bacon butties my grandma used to make for breakfast. They let the spirit be willing (14.11), and prevent the flesh from becoming weak (14.12).

On the present subject of eating food, the three metaphors of verses 14.11, 14.12, and 14.13 seem to make up a mind-matter-reality triangle.

The previous verse is more white collar; it has to do with healing and with willing freedom -- the most mental thing there is. This verse is firmly based in working-class material practicality. And the next verse presents a human situation which, transcending collar-colour or creed, is desperately serious and real.

EH Johnston:And as the axle of a chariot is greased to enable it to bear a load, so the wise man employs food to enable his life to continue.

Linda Covill:As a cart-axle is oiled to allow it to bear a heavy weight, so a wise man takes food to enable him to journey through life.